Patrick,

“Fire and replace” is absolutely one method I’m trying. I recently reiterated to my company that Soldiers should be hungry for their next promotion, and be doing the things that they need to do in order to be ready for it. Things like volunteering for training and teaching opportunities; going to schools when you’re eligible instead of…[Read more]

Along these lines, I’m dealing with this very situation right now.

I was tasked with a high level security mission (guarding an aircraft for a high level government official that may or may not rhyme with VPOTUS), with 24 hours notice, and needed 15 personnel; 1 officer, 1 SSG or above, and 13 PVT-SGT.

I got 3 volunteers. One of those was AGR…[Read more]

Agree with you and at the GO-level right now the talk is to find ways to give Captains more time to train their troops, which they are legally-bound to do.

I am not saying I did not do this as a commander, just that I don’t think I was ever able to give it the necessary depth it required, and thus the outcome of the training was ‘good’ training…[Read more]

When a Soldier or officer has honorably reached the end of their initial term of service, I believe we need to thank them for doing their part, ensure that they have some type of plan for post army life, and offer to help them in any way possible.

Different posts have different issues – some based on location and some based on leadership, etc -…[Read more]

RMAS comes to Hohenfels and Grafenwoehr to train, including USMA cadets. Its a good experience to see the European theater. EU is our #1 trade partner, and our #1 priority is NATO, more so than the Pacific. Having a primer on NATO and what Europe is like, if you come here after USMA is perhaps one of the best opportunities especially for a young 2…[Read more]

potential bug : a very quick double-click on a post / message post (like when I’ve imbibed too much coffee) will double post the content. To use really technical terms … is there a way for the site to recognize that a selection has been made / not use a double click to post or message someone?

And on a related note, there isn’t a way to delete…[Read more]

I’ve noticed that it doesn’t hyperlink (like in other social media) while drafting, but it will once posted. So it’s a bit of a trust thing to get the username right.

I think the last few responses have taken perspectives that if a Soldier wants to ETS, they either aren’t meeting the mold of the Army (aren’t cut out) or it’s a miscommunication and they can be talked out of it.

My initial question has now adjusted to this: how do others react when a Soldier has faithfully and honorably served, has a plan, and…[Read more]

First question: yes, having a focus during an “ORB scrub” of what your eMILPO looks like would be very helpful.

Second question: maybe / it should. The first and biggest push for IPPS-A was to ensure that things related to finances (what you get paid / what’s listed on your LES) came first on the SRB (around 2015 or 16). As the IPPSA designers…[Read more]

First question: yes, having a focus during an “ORB scrub” of what your eMILPO looks like would be very helpful.

Second question: maybe / it should. The first and biggest push for IPPS-A was to ensure that things related to finances (what you get paid / what’s listed on your LES) came first on the SRB (around 2015 or 16). As the IPPSA designers…[Read more]

I would recommend you sit them down and have them brain dump. What did they learn, how would it benefit others coming up the line. One of the biggest issues I’ve seen in the service is the loss of institutional knowledge that takes place any time someone ETS/retires without passing on what they know. How many projects have you had to complete,…[Read more]